President speaks about slain police officer Brad Fox at National Peace Officers Memorial

WASHINGTON — In a speech marking National Peace Officers Memorial Day, President Barack Obama paid tribute to slain Plymouth Township police officer Bradley Fox, a New Hanover resident, who was killed in the line of duty last year.

“All of you in law enforcement, you devote your lives to serving and protecting your communities. Many of you have done it for your country as well,” Obama said Wednesday during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. “After serving two tours in Iraq as a Marine, Bradley Michael Fox retired with honor and followed his dream to becoming a police officer. He had been with the Plymouth Township Police Department in Pennsylvania for five years when he was shot and killed pursuing a suspect last September. It was the day before his 35th birthday, and six months before the birth of his son.

“Nothing will replace the enthusiasm that he brought to his job, or the tremendous pride he had in his family. But today, Brad’s wife Lynsay and daughter Kadence and baby Brad Jr. have a living reminder of their fallen hero — that’s Brad’s K-9 partner, a trusty shepherd named Nick, who Lynsay adopted into the family when he retired from the force last fall.”

Plymouth Township Police Chief Joseph Lawrence, along with several members of the department, members of Plymouth Township Council and select township administrators were in Washington, D.C., for the speech, which was held as part of National Police Week.

Fox was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 13, 2012, after being ambushed in an industrial area near the Schuylkill River Trail while investigating a hit-and-run. His K-9 partner Nick was also shot but ultimately survived the ambush.